As we turned the bend, the path suddenly narrowed. A giant cedar and a smaller maple formed a gate of sorts. I had to stop and take a photo.
As I stood, several thoughts ran through my brain. First were Jesus’ words, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14
His meaning was clear, as the only path to salvation, many will opt for other “ways”, none of which have the power to save. While glory will hold untold numbers of people, it will still only have a remnant of those that God opened the door for.
Then my thoughts drifted to a magical realm. If you step past the tree gate, everything changes. On the other side are wondrous new things and beings. The gate may appear in an upcoming children’s story.
There is also a sense that the idea holds true in the spiritual realm. We enter through the narrow gate and, as believers, are given the Spirit. We begin to be transformed into the image of Christ. We have entered the kingdom of God, albeit not in its fullness.
We cannot see all that is to come, but we know it will be marvelous.
But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:7-10
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Believers have passed through the doorway from Spiritual death to life. We will pass through the doorway into physical death to be resurrected to be with Him in a place too incredible to describe, and too marvelous to comprehend fully… yet.
Believers have nothing to fear from death. Non-believers have much to fear. If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to seek and take the narrow path with Jesus.
Praise God for His love gift.
Be blessed,
Kevin
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.
